For Valentine's day this year, just tell her what she really wants to hear, "you've got a nice can."
Love ain't so hard. #loveexpert #sweetdumpah
4"x4" canvas painting. Email me for one of your very own!
nice can.
Winter Window Season
Winter window season is in full swing around these parts.
Here are some of the Winter shenanigans going on in Somerville!
...over at Treeline:
And down at Petsi Pies:
And a quick Frosty at little Tayla's house!
Halloween Window at Magpie Kids
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
Fall Window at Two Little Monkeys
Union Square Vet's Summer Window
Holy Rainbow Unicorn, Batman!
Clearly Tayla is going to have the best birthday everrrrrrr this year.
Toomey A Favor: Hand Painted Sign
My friend Danielle can't draw. I tell you this because, while she can't physically draw anything herself, it doesn't stop her from needing things drawn constantly. Get Well signs, Birthday cards, kitchen placards...you name it. And most of the time, when she needs one of these graduation/bar mitzvah/baby shower signs made she comes to me and says, "hey Mandee, do me a favor?" and after hearing that phrase over and over ad naseaum, she earned herself the nickname "Toomey a favor". (Her last name being, of course, Toomey...in case you didn't get that.)
Her most recent request to "Toomey a Favor" was one of my favorite projects of the Summer so far. Her family has a little lake house with a dock that needed replacing and when the old dock was torn up, Danielle, never one to miss out on a project, saved some of the weathered chunks of it and brought them to me. And they are awesome!
They are perfect and raw and full of stories never told. I wanted to keep the integrity of the wood but make it more weather-resistant so I whitewashed the front planks and secured them together with some twine to add to the just-off-the-boat, nautical look of it. Then I painted a gigantic anchor on it, symbolizing the Toomey family's anchoring down and establishing roots, their name & wedding date and I'm really happy with the results.
Now I just need to figure out the perfect thing to paint on my section of the dock. Maybe something in a giant serpent lady with wings and an American flag halter top? You know, something classy. Ideas welcomed.
Sadie the Incredible Mermaid Girl: D.I.Y. Traveling Side Show Mermaid Baby Costume
This year was my baby girl's first halloween as a dress-up-able-human and it was imperative that she have the perfect first Halloween costume. I had originally had my heart set on her being the bearded lady in a side show but when she wouldn't leave the beard on I decided to take advantage of the fact that she's not walking yet and put her in some sort of a sack costume which also meant that I would need to decorate her stroller...which naturally led me to make her the Incredible Mermaid Girl in a traveling side show!
I created her stroller cover using foam core as the fish tank frame; blue fabric, glitter tulle & clear plastic Christmas ornaments for the water; and foam core for the signage & held it all together using a glue gun. I attached the whole contraption to the stroller (a Britax B-agile) using Velcro Garland Tie and all that was missing was a fat little mermaid to go inside.
Enter one fat little mermaid.
I have a tutorial on how to make the shell top for the costume here
& the mermaid tail tutorial is in the works!
I'd love to see pictures of your home-made Halloween costumes. Happy Be-lated Halloween!!
Christmas here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird...it's a plane...no!...it's SUPER MIA!!!
A couple of weekends ago I did this super hero city on the wall of one of Cambridge's Finest SuperHero-esses: Miss Mia the Magnificent! Little Miss Mia is quite the superhero aficionado and loves playing dress up in her many costumes BUT until now she had no where to showcase her beautiful outfits. That has all changed now thanks to this wonderful idea from her awesome Mom. (Good job Mom!)
Now Mia has her very own city to save from peril including her own spotlight with her name in it and in the lower left building a capital "M" in lights to make it just a little more special.
Thanks for keeping our city safe from bad guys Mia. The world is a better place with your cute little face in it.
Let's go Red Sox! {clap clap} {CLAPCLAPCLAP}
Tonight is the first game of the 2013 World Series featuring some of my close personal friends...
From Left to Right: Stephen Drew, Will Middlebrooks, Jackie Bradley, Mike Napoli & David Ross
They stopped by Beth Israel (aka my real job) after the marathon bombings to say thanks, be awesome & check out my window. Job well done.
LET'S GO RED SOX!!
{clap clap} {CLAPCLAPCLAP!}
It's here! It's here! It's FLUFF FEST!!
Today is Fluff Fest in Union Square and I am bursting at the seams with excitement! If you have been anywhere near me for the last month or so I've probably already told you that I am the Official 2013 Fluff Festival Sign Painter!! (A title I gave myself) I've been working dilligantly for weeks now trying to get all 23 signs and 5 trophies done and I can't wait to see them in action at the festival!
Fluff Fest was started in 2005 by Mimi Graney who is the Head Lady in Charge (also I title I created) over at Union Square Main Streets. She is in charge of all things Union-Square from craft shows to farmer's markets and everything in between. This is the 8th year of the Fluff Fest and they are anticipated THOUSANDS of attendees!!
...Which means of course that THOUSANDS of people are going to see my signs!!! I can't wait. It starts at 3pm and goes to 7:00 there are games and performances and a cooking contest and of course PRIZES!!
Maybe I'll see you there. I'll be the one taking selfies with all of the signs. :)
Happy Fluff Fest!!!
You can see pictures of all of my little babies at my gallery page: mandeemade.shutterfly.com and you can learn more about Fluff Fest at the Union Square Main Streets website.
I joined a sorority!
Ok, maybe I didn't actually join a sorority BUT I did paint some FOUR FOOT TALL lawn letters for one! The super nice ladies of Ioma Gamma Upsilon at U-Mass Amherst contacted me to customize their new letters and I couldn't wait. It's probably the most unique (read: weirdest) request I've had to date so I was obviously all about it.
Ioma Gamma Upsilon's colors are ultramarine & green and they wanted an all-over floral print on the letters. I created a custom light teal color for the background and then did a simple white, blue & green design over the entire surface. I also sealed the letters with a matte clear coat so that they wouldn't have a glare during photo shoots but would be resistant to beer-bong mishaps. (Or is that just in fraternities? ...Either way.)
Now, before you tell me how great my all-over design is, because I can tell you're dying to...I have a confession...this is actually my best-friend Liz's design. It's what happens when she's distracted and doodling. These awesome little flowers and swirls just pour out of her pen...and then I snatch them up and make them life size on huge letters. That's what friends are for, right?? Thanks Liz!!
Sadie's all ready to pledge. Get this girl a paddle!
The Dog Days of Summer window painting
Two Little Monkeys Window Painting
Earlier this week I was invited down to paint the windows at Two Little Monkeys, a children's consignment shop in my neighborhood by the owner, Sarah. Sarah buys & sells gently used kid's clothes, baby swings, strollers, baby carriers, bikes, trikes...you name it, she sells it. (And at incredibly reasonable prices I might add.)
The store front has 8 windows at is about 20' long.
I used Sarah's existing monkey characters but gave them both the signature cheesy grin that you'll find on all of my own characters. The monkeys are having a water fight with the hose to beat this oppressive July heat here in Boston. (Though as I type this it's a dreamy 70 degrees outside and you could even get away with wearing a hoodie. Eep!)
I also added the shop's logo right on the center glass at eye level for greater visibility for passersby. (I love that word.)
Contact me if you have a window that could use some love. The designs are waterproof but also easily removed. Perfect if you're renting or if you just have commitment issues.
Enjoy the rest of your Summer!!
July is National Pickle Month!
Travis Grillo, Chief Pickle Officer, started making and selling pickles in 2008 using his family's 100 year old recipe. He was slingin' them out of a pickle cart at the Park Street T stop 2 for $1 and now has made his way into Whole Foods all over New England, Fenway Park and at his very own pickle store.
The store is located in Inman Square, Somerville (on the Cambridge/Somerville line which I hear is referred to as "Camberville" but I'm not buying it) at 1075 Cambridge Street and they are definitely worth a trip.
Go over, check out the window, have some pickles (try the hot ones they're AMAZING!) and tell them Mandee sent you! Happy Pickle Month!!
Happy Father's Day!
Happy Father's Day to all you lawn mowing, silly-face-making, BBQ grillin', honey-can-you-fix-this Dads out there. And especially to my wonderful husband who is celebrating his first of many Father's Days with our little girl today. You are an amazing father Sweetie, we are both so lucky to have you!!
And to my own Daddy who taught me how to throw a sucker punch, change a tire and shoot a gun, thanks for not treating me like some sissy girl. Love you Daddy!! Happy Father's Day!!
Mandee-ville Open Studios
This weekend is Somerville Open Studios and the whole town is bustling
with people with street maps seeking out houses with orange balloons.
It's a really cool event and I love going to see everyone's studios
every year but, alas, I don't have a studio of my own (unless my
drafting table in the basement counts) so I did a little public art in
Union Square instead on the windows at River Dog. River Dog is located at 321 Somerville Ave in Union Square, Somerville. Go check 'em out!
Sophie's Safari
24"x36" wall size custom canvas painting for Sophie.
Including her name, date-of-birth and her favorite little Caterpillar.
I'm always accepting commissions for custom artwork and quotes are always free.
CONTACT ME if you have any questions or want a painting of your own!
Picture Frame for Sofia
Skeletons in my Closet
No bones about it...Halloween is almost here! And I can't wait!!
Here's my inspiration for this month's window painting:
Enjoy!!
